As a person who spent many years in grad. school, I can answer a few questions.
Often, people pay for their schooling by getting a stipend, a fellowship, a teaching assingment, loans, or working. Sometimes it is a combination of the above. But often, this depends on the field and the department.
For example, I studied science. I would not have even been accepted into the program if my graduate school could not offer me a stipend. This stiped waived my tuition. I was also a lab T.A. for the first year. This provided me with some funds on which to live. The department mandated that all students T.A. for at least a year. So by doing this, I not only fulfilled a department requirement, but I also didn't have to worry about income.
Later, I received a fellowship. These are like scholarships and are just as prestigious. Usually, most graduate students will get a fellowship at some point. The exception to this might be those who get a MBA or Masters in Architecture as those are far shorter programs. Usually Ph.D. candidates will get a fellowship. These also waive the tuition and provide income. They may also provide extra money, for travel and/or computers. Plus, they relieve the burden of teaching - so that a student can focus on his/her studies.
Different departments though have different rules. For example, in science, most Ph.D. students received at least one fellowship (for one year) during their studies. However, a person studying history might really have to fight to get that fellowship. And some students had to get jobs to continue their education.
Even if you receive a fellowship, the income is small. I had to take out several loans to supplement my income just so I could survive.
In other words, it is a challenge. But if you think grad. school is really for you, then look into it.
As for obtaining a fellowship, usually you have to be accepted and IN school before you can be exposed to these items. If you have already been accepted, I would then speak with the department chairman to assist you. Also, talk to your fellow students. They are often the best source of information because they are trying for the same things. Most students will be happy to share this info., but I'm sure there are a few competitive idiots out there who won't tell you. Ignore them and keep asking.
Now for your questions:
anyone have any interesting post-graduate experiences?
Yes.
how far did you go: masters? doctorate? fellowship?...
A fellowship is not a degree.
And I obtained both my M.S. and Ph.D.
was it worth it? academically and financially speaking in the long and short run?
It is financially challenging. I will probably be paying back my student loans for a while. However, I fully believe that my career will be able to advance much further than if I had restricted myself with just a B.S. (or even an M.S.). So while I lost out on $$ that I would have made had I been working instead of going to school all of those years, the pride at my accomplishment, the WEALTH of information I learned, the confidence I obtained and my future career potential made it very worthwhile.
did school begin to drag on just a few years to long or was it entirely fulfilling?
School does drag on. My academic advisor was VERY demanding of his students. Most took 6-7 years to get their Ph.D.! Some poor students took a whopping 9 years to graduate! Granted, those students usually had some "problems" - but that's still an enormous amount of work. Universities are now trying to force their professors to get graduate students out in 4-5 years in an effort to entice more students to matriculate. After all, who wants to go to school for 4 years for a B.S. then another 7 for a Ph.D.? That's a lot to ask of someone.
While there were plenty of times it seemed long, various milestones helped me realize I was making progress. Passing the graduate school exams (almost all will have a series of written and oral examinations you must pass to continue in the program) is a good sign of your progress. Presenting and publishing your research is another great sign. These milestones really help keep you focused.
Plus, you are in school. So often the environment is a bit more relaxed. You can "escape" at 2 in the afternoon on a great day if you want from time to time. Try doing that at work!
Overall, if you are thinking about it seriously, I would say you should go back to school. I think you will enjoy it.
Good luck!
), but I just don't have any interest in it, really. The past year of working has taught me that I definitely do not want to work in politics, and I love history, so I've decided to try to do something I really want to do, so maybe I won't be unhappy forever. 
I'm already poor now, anyway, so it can't be much worse after a year of grad school! 
I've just seen the well-known ones that are pretty much impossible to get, but they probably are out there. 
